We understand that choosing an educational path is a big and life changing decision for your family's future. We also understand that it can be un-nerving to step away from what "normal" is. We have gone through this process and want to help other families work through it.

For our decision to change educational pathways, once we embraced the thought of the cost to our boy's future by leaving them in the detrimental traditional system, it was an easy decision. If your family desires something more relevant, more intentional, more simplistic, with more freedom and a positive culture to build character, then Apogee Liberty will align with your family.

To provide more context, since transitioning out of the traditional education system, our boys have been far more excited to learn, happier, and have regained their critical thinking. In addition, we find ourselves going 5 days a week in the Apogee program (even though we are set on a 4-day week) because we all enjoy it that much, and it doesn't feel like "school." The boys now look at the traditional system and cannot comprehend why anyone would teach that way or want to go there. The educational methodology difference at Apogee is so stark, that even kids can see it.

Overall, families who thrive at Apogee are excited about project-based, hands-on learning and are open and patient to a model that looks different from traditional teacher-led classrooms who use grades to provide comfort to parents and administrators that learning is happening. The Apogee model isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. What matters most is finding the environment where your child can grow and your family feels supported.

From the student perspective, Apogee students are self-directed. Unlike traditional school, where students are limited to no freedom and make minimal decisions about their day. Apogee leaders are placed in an environment with large boundaries that allow them to make decisions and then fail or succeed. Either way they are learning. In addition, Apogee Liberty students set their own personal goals with support from parents and coaches, and we work together to support them along the way. It is truly amazing what kids can accomplish when the right environment is set and then are allowed to run.

To help figure out what you are looking for, we offer campus trial days for your family to experience a typical Apogee Liberty day, as well as family meetings to have conversations around all things Apogee. We enjoy having conversations, and we bet you are having most of the same thoughts and questions we had before taking the next step down the educational path. It took us several years and resources to figure out what the Apogee path looked like, let us help you shorten that timeline and figure out what is best for your family.

Apogee Strong is expected to be accredited in 2026. Apogee Liberty will soon follow and also follows the nationally recognized Apogee Strong educational framework. Students will develop personal portfolios highlighting their accomplishments, and if their path determines they need a transcript or diploma for their future aspirations we will work with the parent and student to develop that plan.

We do not "teach" academics. Academics are learned through individualized academic plans and project-based learning and passion projects that connects reading, writing, math, science, and history to real-world challenges. Academics are parent driven and coach supported with frequent check-ins to ensure the parent, student, and coach are aligned in their academic goals.

Powerful learning develops knowledge, skills, and character through purpose, agency, and mastery - practiced consistently - so students learn how to learn. It is not passive, standardized, or defined only by grades and completed assignments. It is active, challenging, relational, and connected to meaningful goals. Students are expected to think, create, practice, revise, explain, apply, and contribute.

Powerful learning balances freedom with responsibility. Students have meaningful choices and increasing ownership, while coaches maintain clear standards, appropriate structure, useful feedback, and accountability. The result is not independence without support or structure without agency, but the gradual development of capable young people who can direct their effort wisely.

This freedom approach will take time to become comfortable with, because there is a level of un-schooling from the traditional system that needs to happen first, for both the child and parents. The mind will need to disconnect from downward directed and strictly scheduled assignments, memorization to pass a predetermined test, and artificial grades that dictate if your child is "smart" found in traditional systems. At Apogee Liberty, students learn to understand and master. They do not move on until they can explain, in their own words, the topic at hand. Not only does this approach cement understanding, but it also promotes articulate communication. The students focus quickly changes from, hurry up and get it done, because there are more assignments coming, to wait, hold on, I don't quite understand this topic yet. I need to go back, do some more research, maybe seek support from a coach to learn this topic. This transition timeline will of course be different for each child.

As an example, when we first started the Apogee program, we saw immediately we had to focus on un-schooling our boy's train of thought. At the start, they would come to me with their math work for review. They were so proud when they would get all or most all the answers correct, but then I would ask the question, "can you explain to me what you just did, how you did it, or why it is important to know?" Blank stares....... They couldn't, because they weren't expected too fully understand the topic in the traditional system that they were use to. The expectation was to memorize the "thing" to get a grade. This has all changed now with Apogee where the default mindset is to understand, not just do or memorize.

We do not require a statement of faith, but our educational philosophy is based on a Christian worldview, with prayer and scripture integrated to guide students' character and understanding.

The Socratic Method encourages asking earnest questions to challenge assumptions and discover the truth. Socrates used it to help students think critically and refine their arguments. We DO NOT direct students on what to think. We coach students how to think through topics and then relate to them in their own way of understanding the world.

This method builds confidence in speaking, sharpens persuasive skills, and fosters critical thinking about the world around them.

We use the Socratic Method to encourage deep reasoning and clear expression, helping students become confident and articulate good humans prepared to pursue life’s purpose. Apogee Liberty seeks graduates who can think independently and communicate effectively.

Kids need movement, not medication. I don't understand why it is accepted in traditional schools that kids are only allowed a few short times a day for recess. Movement, fitness, and outdoor play are prioritized into each day as part of holistic health—mental, spiritual, and physical. At Apogee Liberty, students get a full two hours of outdoor and active time, plus time before and after school.

Yes, you are able to dual enroll your child at a public school to participate in their sports or extra-curricular programs if desired. More information about dual enrollment can be found here, Dual Enrollment for Homeschooled Students in Iowa - Homeschool Iowa

This will be determined through conversation and alignment with each family of Apogee Liberty.

For the learning environment to be effective it needs to be free from distractions. At the same time personal responsibility and ownership is the foundation of Apogee Liberty. The more responsibility that is shown, the more freedom that is earned.

Apogee Liberty lives by a code; Honor, Humility, Perseverance, and Own it All.

It is expected that everyone who is a part of Apogee Liberty lives up to this code and holds each other accountable. Students will also develop their own personal code to help direct them to be the person they want to be.